Health Share anticipates about 90 percent of new clients can keep their current primary care providers, as most providers who contracted with FamilyCare also serve Health Share clients. Multnomah County contracts with all three Health Share insurers to offer primary care, mental health and addiction services and aging and disability services.

County services are always available to people who are low-income or who do not have insurance.

Primary Care

Multnomah County’s primary care system has created a work group to coordinate a smooth transition for new clients who will join more its more than 70,000 current clients. Administrators say they have capacity to take on a significant number of new clients.

“We’re fully prepared to take on the new and returning FamilyCare members, and we’re excited to see new clients at any of our seven main health centers, our specialty HIV clinic, or our 12 student health centers,” said Adrienne Daniels, deputy director of Integrated Clinical Services.

Mental Health & Addiction

HealthShare reports that about 10,000 transitioning FamilyCare members are currently receiving mental health services, and about 80 percent of them will be able to continue seeing the same providers following the transition. About 20 percent may need to switch to an in-network provider, but will have 180 days to make the change.

Multnomah County has hired additional staff to provide services to children, youth, adults and families in Multnomah Mental Health.

“We are prepared to support all individuals who will now receive behavioral health services from Multnomah Mental Health,” Mental Health and Addiction Services Division Director David Hidalgo said. “Our team of experts is working hard to ensure all former FamilyCare members have access excellent treatment and resources.”

To make the transition easier, Multnomah County and Health Share of Oregon have launched the Substance Use & Provider Directory to help individuals find services tailored to their needs, such as specialty, language or location.

Aging and Disability Services

The Aging, Disability and Veterans Services Division (ADVSD) of the Department of County Human Services already serves more than 5,000 FamilyCare members. Of those, more than 1,000 individuals receive Medicaid long-term services and supports and nearly 3,000 are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.

Individuals receiving Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS) will not have those services impacted. ADVSD clients should contact their case manager or the ADRC Helpline (503-988-3646) to connect to their case manager.

“We are working to support FamilyCare clients in a smooth transition to their new health care provider,” ADVSD Director Lee Girard said. “We are conducting targeted outreach to individuals who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare and who may have complex health and long term care needs to help with their transition.”

Transportation

Access2Care contracts with both FamilyCare and Health Share to provide non-medical transportation through its Ride to Care program for Oregon Health Plan members who might require assistance. However, the company has canceled any pre-scheduled rides by FamilyCare members. Beginning Feb. 1, members transitioning to Health Share, and their providers, should call Access2Care to reschedule all canceled rides, request new rides and bus passes.

For more information

Residents who speak a language other than English can call helplines for Health Share, Multnomah County or the Oregon Health Authority and request an interpreter. Language services are always free.